Shake splitting machine



25, 1936. J c. BUTLER 2,031,877

SHAKE SPLITTING MACHINE Filed NOV. 6, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M. 25, 19%.J. c. BUTLER 2,031,877

SHAKE SPLITTING MACHINE Filed NOV. 6, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JT /MES550M55 Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CanadApplication November 8 Claims.

This invention relates to a power-driven shake splitting machine for themanufacture of shakes from blocks of wood previously sawn to the desiredlengths of the shakes it is wished to manufacture.

My invention difiers from all known machines for this purpose in thatthe shakes are split from the bottom face of the block and also fromboth ends of the block without the necessity of having to turn the blockfrom end to end'as is usual when making shakes by hand splitting them bythe usual frow method to give to the shakes a tapering thickness frombutt to tip as more specifically set out in United States Patent No.1,663,905.

It is one of the objects of my invention to manufacture shakes moreeconomically than other known methods, such as hand splitting orrejsawing of previously hand split shakes, or manufacturing imitationsplit shakes from thick shin- 20 gles by surfacing one face to give theappearance of a split shake.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine for splittingshakes from previously sawn blocks of wood that will operate morequickly and turn out a larger quantity in a given time than other knownmethods and machines.

Another particular object of my invention is to provide a machine ofthis character that will operate in both directions, that is, it willsplit off a shake both on the forward and backward stroke of themachine.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine that willmanufacture tapering split shakes from either end of the block withoutthe necessity of having to reverse the block from end to end to providethe taper.

With these and other objects in view I have invented the machine whichis the subject matter of this application and which is further de- "4.0scribed in the following specification and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings forming part of this application and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine showing the power drivencrank shaft connected '45 by the connecting rod to the slidable crosshead.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine show- .ing the slide bed,stationary knife, carriage and tilting tables.

Figure 3 is a detail end view of one of the tilt- 50 ing tables.

Figure 4 is a detail view of one side of the slide mechanism for tiltingthe table. This view shows the contact arm at the end of the slide barin contact with the slidable cross head.

55 Figure! is a view of the mechanism-shown in a. s, 1934, Serial No.751,766

Figure 4 after it has been moved to the opposite end of the stroke tothat shown in Figure 4. This view shows the contact finger secured atthe centre of the slidable cross head in contact with the contact bar ofthe slide mechanism.

In these drawings like numerals indicate like parts, and the numeral lindicates a rectangular framework .upon which is mounted a power drivensprocket shaft 2 which drives through the sprockets 3 and chain 4 thecrank shaft 5 having a pair of crank arms 6 connected by the rods 1 tothe slidable cross head 8.

The framework I has a pair of-heavy longitudinal angle iron slides 9fitted upon the inside top edge of the longitudinal stringers of theframework to comprise a slide bed, and the cross head 8 is slidablethereon.

Fitted between the longitudinal slides 9 is a pair of pivoted tables l0,and fitted intermediately of thellatter is a stationary double edgedknife ll secured rigidly to the slides 9.

The knife II is secured to the underside of the angle iron slides 9 bybolts I2 having distance pieces [3 to provide a clearance between theknife I l and slides 9.

' The tables H] are pivoted opposite each other upon pivot shafts l4passing through the sides of the framework l and angle iron slides 9 andare provided with suitable pivot bearings 15.

On the underside of the inner and opposite ends of the tables H) aresecured roller shaft bearings l6 fitted with rollers H at the outerends.

Positioned below the stationary knife II is a pair of slotted slidemembers l8 having a central cutaway portion l9 and slots 20.

These slide members 18 are positioned upon the inner sides of theframework l and below the angle iron slides 9, see Figures 4 and 5.

Fitted to the inner sides of the slide members l8 and spanning thecentral cutaway portion I9 is a slotted depth adjusting gauge 2| securedto the sides of the members I8 by cap screws 22.

The slide members l8 are slidable upon bolts '23 passing through themain longitudinal frame of the framework l.

'The slide members I8 comprise a bed for the 'rollers l'lfitted upon theinner ends of the pivted tables I 0 and by which the tables are causedto alternately tip in opposite directions when the -machine isoperating, and by means of the depth adjusting gauge 2| the tip orinclination of the tables I!) is controlled in relation with the cuttingedge of the stationary knife H by which means the thickness of theshakes being manufactured is governed.

The slide members [8 are moved inwardly on the inward stroke of themachine through a pair of contact arms 24 secured upon the inner ends ofthe slide members l8 by the slidable cross head 8 and are moved in anopposite or outward direction by the contact finger 25 secured upon theside of the slidable cross head 8 and in the centre thereof striking thecontact rod 26 secured rigidly between the slidable members l8, seeFigures 4 and5. The slide members l8 are moved in alternate directionsby movement of the carria'ge at six inches from the end of the stroke ofthe carriage.

The slidable cross head 8 is secured to the slide bed 8 by guide pieces21 secured upon distance pieces 28 on the underside to permit of thenecessary clearance of the slides 9.

Bolted to the front side of thecross head 8 is a fabricated angle ironframework carriage 29 which is also slidable upon the slide bed 9 bybeing suitably secured thereon by guide and distance pieces after themanner of the cross head 8.

In operation a block of wood suitable for the making of shakes ispositioned within the carriage frame 29 and upon one of the pivotedtables I0 and the machine started.

The longitudinal grain of the block of wood positioned within thecarriage 29 coincides with the longitudinal stroke of the machine andthe block is forced against the stationary knife H in a slightlyinclined position coinciding with the tip or inclination of the tableupon which the bottom face of the block was positioned and a naturalsplit shake is severed from the block of wood similar to those splitfrom a block of wood by the use of a frow and manual means.

After completion of one stroke, say assuming the outward stroke, theblock of wood still within the framework carriage 29 is tippedautomatically on the opposite table In to that upon which it wasoriginally positioned by being forced thereon by the outward stroke ofthe machine, and the block of wood is drawn against the stationary knifeH by the carriage 29 tipped or inclined in a direction opposite to thatin which it was forced against the knife on the outward stroke, andanother shake is severed off, and this process is continued until theblock of wood is completely used.

One of the distinctive characteristics of this machine is the fact thatall shakes split from the block of wood are from the bottom face of suchblocks and also from both ends of the block without the necessity ofturning the block endwise for this purpose.

Another important feature of the machine is the fact that there is noidle stroke to the machine when in operation, as a shake is severed offthe block of wood in the machine both on the inward and outward strokes.

Having now described my invention, what I claim and desire to beprotected in by Letters Patent, is:

1. A power driven shake splitting machine comprising, a slide bed and aslidable reciprocating carriage frame and cross head mounted thereon, apair of pivoted and tilting tables positioned intermediate of the sidesof said slide bed, a stationary and double edged knife positionedintermediate of said tables and transversely of said slide bed, tabletilting slides positioned below .said slide bed, means engaging saidslides and .said reciprocating carriage whereby said slides are moved tocause said pivoted tables to alternately tilt as said carriage isreciprocated so that a block of wood positioned within said carriageframe and upon one of said tilting tables is forced against saidstationary knife tilted in one direction and drawn against said knifetilted in an opposite direction whereby shakes are caused to be splitfrom the bottom face of said block of wood.

2. A power driven shake splitting machine comprising a slide bed, aslidable reciprocating carriage frame and cross head mounted on saidslide bed, a pair of pivoted and tilting tables positioned intermediateof the sides of said slide bed, a stationary double edged knifepositioned intermediate the inner ends of said pivoted tables, tabletilting slides positioned below said slide bed, a depth gauge mountedupon said tilting slides whereby the tilt of said pivoted tables may beadjusted, means in co-operative engagement with said tilting slides andsaid reciprocating carriage to predeterminately move said slides andtilt said tables as said carriage is reciprocated so that shakes arealternately severed from the lower face of a block of wood placed uponone 'of the tilting tables when said machine is operated. a r

3. A power driven shake splitting machine comprising, a slidablecarriage member adapted to receive therein a block of wood, a pair ofpivoted and tilting tables, a stationary double edged knife positionedintermediate of said tables, slide means engaging with said carriage tocause said pivoted tables to alternately tilt when said carriage isreciprocated so that when a block of wood is positioned within saidcarriage and the carriage is moved in one direction, the block will betilted by one table, and a shingle severed from the block and when thecarriage is moved in the opposite direction the block will be oppositelytilted by the other table and a second shingle severed from the block.

4. A power driven shake splitting machine comprising a slidable carriagemember adapted to receive therein a block of wood, a pair of pivoted andtilting tables, a stationary double edged knife positioned intermediateof said tables, slide means engaging with said carriage to cause saidpivoted tables to alternately tilt when said carriage is reciprocated sothat when a block of wood is positioned within said carriage thealternate ends of said block of wood are forced alternately against saidstationary knife and shakes severed from the bottom face of said blockof wood as said machine is operated.

5. A power driven shake splitting machine comprising a slidable carriagemember adapted to receive therein a block of wood, a pair of pivoted andtilting tables, means to cause said tables to alternately tilt as saidcarriage is reciprocated,

a stationary double edged knife positioned intermediate of said tiltingtables, means controlling the tilt of said tables in relation with theedge of said stationary knife whereby the thickness of the shakes beingmanufactured is determined.

6. A power driven shake splitting machine comprising, a rectangularframework, stationary slides mounted on each side of said framework, acrank shaft connected to a slidable cross head mounted upon said slides,a carriage frame connected to said cross head, said carriage frameadapted to receive therein a block of wood, a pair of pivoted tablespositioned intermediately of said slides, a stationary double edgedknife positioned intermediately of said tables and transversely of saidframework; slide means engaging with said carriage to cause said pivotedtables to alternately tilt when said carriage is reciprocated whereby ablock of wood positioned within said carriage and upon one of saidpivoted tables is forced against said stationary knife tilted in onedirection and drawn against said knife tilted in an opposite directionand shakes severed off the bottom face by cuts starting at the alternateends of said block of wood when said machine is operated.

7. A power driven shake splitting machine, comprising a rectangularframework, a crank shaft mounted upon said framework, a pair of crankarms mounted upon said crank shaft, stationary slides mounted upon thetop and each inner side of said framework, a slidable cross head mountedupon said slides, a pair of connecting rods mounted upon said cross headand crank arms whereby said cross head may be reciprocated,.arectangular carriage frame connected to said cross head slidable uponsaid slides, a pair of tilting tables positioned intermediately of saidslides, a stationary double edged knife secured transversely of saidframework to said slides, and intermediately of said tilting tables,

slides positioned upon the inner sides of said framework and below saidtilting tables, means engageable with said cross head and said slidesadapted to move said slides in timed relation with the movement of saidcarriage whereby said tables are caused to tilt alternately with themovement of said carriage when said machine is operated in virtue ofwhich tapered shakes are split 01f the bottom face of a block of woodpositioned within said carriage frame through being forced against saidstationary knife and while said block of wood is in a tilted position,passed from one of said tilting tables to the other.

8. In a machine of the class described, a pair of spaced apart tiltabletables, a double edged lmife located between the spaced apart tables, acarriage reciprocably mounted above said tables and knife, to move in asingle plane, and to receive a block of wood to rest on said tables,means to reciprocate said carriage and means to tilt said tables onhorizontal axes at right angles to the direction of the movement of saidcarriage as said carriage is reciprocated.

JAMES C. BUTLER.

